West Coast Young Talent Search Program For Dressage Launched (Views: 4375)

Cornerstone Event Management has announced a new program in partnership with sponsor Markel Insurance to identify and reward talented young horses on the West Coast, titled the Markel/Cornerstone Young Talent Search.

The Markel/Cornerstone Young Talent Search will offer over $10,000 in prize money and awards for 4-, 5- and 6-year-old horses in a quest to find future stars. Each age division will contest training level, first level and second level tests, respectively.

“Differing from the national young horse program, we have chosen to utilize standard dressage tests to evaluate performances and reward some of our outstanding young horses,” explained organizer Glenda McElroy. “There is so much talent here on the West Coast, and we need more opportunities to showcase it. I think this program will do just that.”

Horses may be earn an invitation to the YTS Finals in June by earning two scores of 65 percent or better in designated classes at spring Cornerstone shows, and prize money will be offered in every qualifying test. Scores may be earned at the Mid-Winter Dressage Fair CDI 3*/Y/J, Feb. 21-24 in Burbank, Calif.; the Festival of the Horse CDI 3*/Y/J, March 27-30 in San Juan Capistrano, Calif.; Woodside Spring Dressage, May 17-19 in Woodside, Calif.; and Dressage at Flintridge CDI 1*/Y/J, May 23-26 in La Cañada, Calif.

The inaugural Finals will be held during Star Spangled Dressage, June 28-30 in San Juan Capistrano, where a total of $6,000 in prize money will be paid.

“We have supported national young horse programs for a decade, and now are excited to do the same on the West Coast,” said John Seger of Markel Insurance. “We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Cornerstone to be able to offer this special opportunity to California horses, riders and owners.”